But He's Got a Five-Year Plan....

I recently read an article in Self Magazine about how planning life goals can be rewarding and enriching. It can also be depressing if you tend not to actually reach your goals. The trick is to set your sites on things that are challenging yet attainable. Author Erin Zammett Ruddy suggests an easy exercise in her article that will help flesh out realistic and positive achievements you'd like to reach. I'm using this post as a way to complete this exercise and hold myself accountable.

First, jot down 5 past accomplishments you're proud of. Remembering these triumphs will make you feel confident and more likely to pursue future, and potentially more challenging, goals.

1)Graduate from college. Not only did I accomplish this but my overall GPA for my four years at Temple University was a 3.5. Not to shabby.

2) Work at a major publication. After getting my journalism degree I desperately wanted a taste of the magazine publishing world. My 6-month internship at Redbook satisfied that hunger and gave me experiences I never could have received elsewhere. I'm proud to have been published in the magazine during that time and met some amazing women!

3)Do something positive for my community. I am active in local fundraisers and charities and plan to always be. I'm currently on the Executive Leadership Committee for our local AHA Heart Walk.

4)Get my Master's Degree. Dunzo. Summa Cum Laude from Lock Haven University.

5)Maintain a happy and healthy life with someone I love. I'm fortunate to have married by best friend. We live an active and healthy life and value each other tremendously.


The second part of the exercise is all about brainstorming. I have to admit that brainstorming is one of my favorite things to do. What other productive task can you do at any hour of the day in any situation? Whether it's during your morning jog, sipping on a glass of Old Vine Zinfandel, doing sun salutations in your back hard, sitting with a co-worker or laying in bed- there are endless opportunities to get your wheels turning. Ruddy suggests setting a stopwatch for 10 minutes and listing everything you want to accomplish in your lifetime. That could be a loooong list. But regardless of how ridiculous some of the things may seem WRITE THEM DOWN. If you are having trouble getting past line 1 you can ask yourself 3 questions: Is there anything I've left unfinished that I'd like to complete? Are there classes I'd like to take or skills I'd like to learn? Are there ways I can give back to others?

Timer set. Go.

Write a book about gender in the media
Write a memoir about a personal experience
Teach at the university level
Learn Spanish
Re-learn French
Take a 2 month tour of europe
Spend a few weeks in Asia
Scratch the above two, I want to travel EVERYWHERE
Run a marathon
Have a child
Adopt a child
Run an Animal Rescue
Create a local chapter for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Ride a wheelie on a sportbike (for those of you that don't know I ride motorcycles)
Own a vacation home in Asheville, NC
Write a semi-famous blog
Be published in a national publication again
Read more
Buy my older sister a car
Have a garden without killing it
Become a yoga instructor
Complete a triathalon
Own a boat
Attend Le Mans


Wow, that's quite a list! You can tell I've been thinking about these things for a long time. Ruddy then suggests scaling it back to a five-year plan. To do this she recommends picturing yourself in five years. Which items would you regret not having completed by then? Once you've cut it back a bit it's time to dissect those that made the cut and determine if they are something you want for yourself or goals others want for you. Understand the motivation behind your planned achievements and how they will affect your life.

My 5-year List:

Write a memoir about a personal experience
Learn Spanish
Re-learn French
Travel more internationally
Run a marathon
Have a child
Adopt a child
Be an integral part of an Animal Rescue
Help create a local chapter for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Write a popular blog
Be published in a national publication again
Read more
Have a garden without killing it
Complete a triathalon
Own a boat
Attend Le Mans

Now that I have my list it's time to put it into action. In order to reach the bigger goals I need to set mini goals to help me attain them and keep me motivated. For example, if my goal is to write a popular blog, then a mini goal should be to research and blog at least once a week. It will help me be creative, hone my skills and acheive more followers. If my goal is to be an integral part if an animal rescue I can set a mini goal of volunteering at one. I can learn the ropes and feel proud of the selfless work I'm doing. Achieving each milestone will fuel my desire to keep going.

Planning can be a daunting task but on the same token it can be exciting and realistic. Now that I've put all these out there I'll need you all to keep me on track! Happy planning!